In the quiet of the night, I remember lying awake and wondering, “Why can't I just be happy?” You see, at that time in my life, every waking moment was spent striving for acceptance, for the nods of validation from others, for their elusive approval. The applause was intoxicating, truly—after all, who doesn’t enjoy a pat on the back, a ‘job well done!' But, I was continually chasing after a state of happiness whose keys I had wholeheartedly handed over to others. Sounds familiar?

Suddenly, it hit me. A quiet whisper, delivering revolutionary wisdom, “The power to transform your life lies in your hands, Tim.” I realised that my happiness, my potential, my growth, were all held ransom by the opinions of others. It was time to reclaim control. I had to take radical ownership of my life. It is the very essence of the personal transformation journey I undertook, facilitating the birth of Success Insider and the formulation of the LMA course. But this isn't about my courses or my company. This is about you. This is about us. About reclaiming our power.

So, take a moment and ask yourself – are you living your life seeking approval from an external audience?

Drifting along with societal expectations, we often lose sight of our authentic self, of our dreams, and potential – leaving us feeling unfulfilled, unhappy, and disconnected. But, the truth is, no amount of external validation can replace the exhilaration of living a life true to oneself, of following your passion and manifesting your dreams. So, how can we shift from external validation to authentic, self-driven living?

Firstly, you need to recognise and accept your worth. Embrace your unique journey. Each failure, obstacle, success story—it all contributes to our growth. Even a seemingly small gesture like smiling at a stranger or helping a friend, it all matters. They are tiny ripples creating vast waves of positivity in the world.

Next, understand that perfection is an illusion. Everyone makes mistakes, so why should you be any different? Perfection isn't a milestone on the journey of self-improvement. Innovation, growth, resilience—these are. They are human qualities that elevate an individual, not flawless execution. So fail, learn, grow, and shine. For, as philosopher Bernard Williams beautifully mused, “There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.”

Finally, embrace your individuality. The world doesn't need clones. It needs originals, it needs you. So, paint with your unique colors, with your passion, creativity, kindness. Create a masterpiece called life, your Life.

Audrey Hepburn once said, “The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it's all that matters.” As I sat ponderising this quote, I couldn’t help but agree wholeheartedly. This is your life, unique, original and splendid, much like yourself.

Yes, it is hard. Yes, you will stumble. Yes, you might let others' opinions sway you. But remember that struggle is a part of this beautiful journey called life. As the famous proverb goes, “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” You are stronger than you believe, and the power to take ownership of your life resides within you.

And one day, in the quiet of the night, I hope you find yourself lying awake and wondering, “Why am I so happy?” And then, you will realise. It is because you broke free from the chains of external validation. It is because you embraced yourself, failures, successes, and everything in between. It is because you started living authentically, for the person that needed your approval the most – You.

For taking radical ownership of your life means to stop living it for others and to start living it for oneself. To create a life ruled by acceptance rather than approval. To turn the auditorium silent, for the only applause that matters, is the one echoing within you.

Seize the reigns of your life. Live authentically. Live radially—with love, with courage, with purpose. For as you sculpt a life free from the thirst of accolades, you begin to bask in the happiness that comes from within you. It's time to take radical ownership of your life, my friend. Are you ready?